Parkland Twelve of the district’s marching bands took the field at North Forsyth High School on Tuesday night for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools’ 28^th Annual Marching Band Jamboree.

Every autumn, the district invites high school marching bands to come together for their largest collective performance of the season during the jamboree. Bands take turns staging their flagship sets for a crowd of hundreds, then they all come together for a joint performance directed by Superintendent Tricia McManus. It’s the biggest night of the year for the district’s marching band community, an occasion that inspires everyone to put their best foot forward.

“It makes a difference when everyone is here together,” said Glenn High School Drum Major Nevaeh Vandergrift. “I went out with a lot of confidence, and I had a lot of fun.”

Mount Tabor This year’s jamboree was delayed by several weeks due to weather concerns, and Tuesday night threatened rain the whole time, but it wasn’t enough to dampen the crowd’s spirits. The 12 bands that took the field offered electrifying takes on the works of Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, The Beastie Boys, Bernard Herrmann, and many more. Between the complex choreography, the elaborate prop work, and the musical mastery, the effort these bands have put in this season was plain to see.

“We put a lot of work into it,” said Parkland High School Percussionist Andrew Peoples. “It feels good to show it off.”

This year’s jamboree was dedicated to the memory of former WS/FCS Band Director William Toney, whose commitment to the artform and to his students has left a lasting impact on the district’s marching band community. The program for this year’s jamboree featured five pages of testimonials from people whose lives Toney positively affected, and the first song of the night was a version of The Star-Spangled Banner that Toney arranged himself. It was performed by a brass ensemble with representatives from all of the schools and conducted by Walkertown High School Band Director Quincy Lundy, a former student of Toney’s who was overwhelmed by the honor.

Tricia McManus “It was an extremely humbling honor and privilege for which I am forever grateful,” Lundy said. “Thank you to the Toney family and the WS/FCS Band Directors Association for so graciously allowing me and the wonderful WS/FCS Brass Ensemble to pay such a great tribute to a great man."

The jamboree was a joyous celebration of the impact the arts have on WS/FCS students and the wider community around them. The district considers enriching students with a well-rounded arts education to be an essential part of its mission, and the jamboree is one of many invaluable opportunities students have to make the most of their talents.

“Dancing allows me to express my true self,” said Carver High School Dancer Asianna Myers. “Having those opportunities is important to me.”

Parkland High School

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